CHAPTER VI srony or THE BATLOKOA CONTINUED
WE left the Batlokoa in the north, where they had already added several clans to their numbers, after having subjugated them. When they saw that the Bataung had ﬂed, they did not pursue them ; but" turning southwards again, followed along the course of the Caledon River, attacking any tribe they came across, and making prisoners‘ and conscripts of any individuals who fell into their hands. They crossed the Caledon near Bushman’s Kop from north to south, and attacked the Maphetla of Setlho, who, with some Bushman adherents, had entrenched themselves on the mountain. They rolled great stones down on the attacking Batlokoa, to such good purpose; that the latter raised the siege and passed on, calling the mountain Botheta (“ to roll down ”).
They journeyed on across the great plain between the Caledon and the Orange River, without stopping to attack the Bushmen who were living at Qethoane on the road. They saw a large herd of gnu, which at first they took to be cattle. When they reached the Orange River, which they intended to cross, they found it in ﬂood ; and well was it for the Batsueneng and others on the other side that it was so. Old Khiba saw the enormous multitude reach the opposite bank and encamp there, and also, to his intense relief, saw them return bafﬂed by the ﬂood.
They went north again; this time bending eastwards to Kubake ; but, as we have seen, the Mapolane had left, and there was no one to plunder ; so they went up the Makhaleng to Lifateng, a forest of Wild olives, which at that time covered the whole of the mountain sides on the left bank of the stream. There they crossed to the right or north bank, and wound their way past Qalasi, Mohalinyane (Lang- berg) and Jammerberg, to the Caledon, which they crossed near
Litsueneng. I 34